Optimization of Jc for Photo-Assisted MOCVD Prepared YBCO Thin Films by Robust Design

Abstract

AbstractMetalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is emerging as a practical high Tc superconducting thin film preparation technique for industrial application. Intrinsically this technique involves a large number of variable parameters. This is especially critical for the quarternary or higher high Tc materials. Thus, effective methods are required to optimize the parameters for the preparation of high Tc films. A matrix experimental design named Robust Design has been employed for this purpose. The first-phase design was based on a starting knowledge of growth temperature and pressure, and annealing temperature for MOCVD preparation of YBCO thin films. A minimum lab effort of only nine deposition experiments was then used to optimize the process control parameters of precursor oven temperature, carrier gas (Ar) flow rate, O2 flow rate and N2O flow rate. The results were then followed by three confirmation depositions. The Robust Design resulted in the growth of YBCO film with Tc consistently in the range of 87.0 K to 90.2 K and Jc improved from about 1.0 × 106 A/cm2 to 3–5 × 106 A/cm2.